2025-02-04 CC Minutesb std
City of Farmers Branch Farmers Branch City Hall
z ' 13000 Wm Dodson Pkwy
FARMERS Action Meeting Minutes Farmers Branch, TX 75234
BRANCH City Council
Tuesday, February 4, 2025 6:00 PM Council Chambers
The full video of this meeting is available on the City website at haps:11farmersbranch.legistar.coneCalend2r.aspx
Council Present: Mayor Terry Lynne, Mayor Pro Tem Omar Roman, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Richard
Jackson, Councilmember David Reid, Councilmember Roger Neal, Councilwoman Tina
Bennett -Burton
City Staff Present: City Manager Ben Williamson, Deputy City Manager Jawaria Tareen, Director of
Administrative Services Stacy Henderson, City Attorney Whitt Wyatt, Director of
Public Works Ray Silva -Reyes, Director of Parks and Recreation Rob Diaz, Director of
Economic Development and Tourism Perla Tavera, Director of Innovation and
Technology Steven Schweigert, Director of Community Services Danielle Summers,
and other City staff
CALL TO ORDER - STUDY SESSION t3 P.M.)
Mayor Lynne called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON STUDY SESSION ITEMS
There were no members of the public wishing to address the Council.
STUDY SESSION ITEMS
C.1 Review and discuss Consent and Regular agenda items.
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Jackson and Councilmember Neal had questions on Items J.6 and J.7 related to the
purchase of pickup trucks.
Councilmember Neal and Mayor Pro Tem Roman had questions on Item J.5 related to an agreement for
street -sweeping services.
C.2 Discuss City Council direction for Boards and Commissions.
The Council discussed various aspects of direction for City Boards and Commissions.
The majority of the Council directed that City Boards and Commissions be given leeway to come up with
creative ideas and discuss their direction and projects during Board Chair meetings and annual updates to the
Council.
C3 Discuss events committee.
February 4, 2025
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Director of Parks and Recreation Rob Diaz gave a presentation explaining the background of this discussion,
details regarding the current Multi -Cultural Subcommittee, and the purpose and authority of the Arts and
Culture Committee.
The majority of the Council was in favor of having a subcommittee to assist with the planning of City events
under the Arts and Culture Committee.
CA Discuss the Demolition/Rebuild Program.
Director of Economic Development, Planning, and Tourism Perla Tavera gave a presentation explaining the
overview of the program, the financial statistics of the program, and the options for amendment.
The majority of the Council was in favor of considering options for amending the program by removing tax
rebates and instead offering a cash grant on a sliding scale.
C.5 Discuss the proposed Dutch Village Park playground replacement and park improvements.
Tara Bradley, Parks Planner, gave a history of Dutch Village Park, public survey results, and the plan for the
park replacement.
The majority of the Council was in favor of moving forward with the project.
C.6 Receive an update regarding the Oakbrook Water Meter Project.
Director of Public Works Ray Silva -Reyes gave a presentation explaining the background of the project, the
current stockpile of water meters, how overrun costs would be handled, the funds that will be provided by
the Home Owner's Association, and the status of the project bidding process.
The majority of the Council requested information on possibly moving this toward a Public Improvement
District project and more research being performed on a Tax Investment Reinvestment Zone credit.
C.7 Discussion of the Short -Term Rental Program and Hotel/Motel Taxes.
Code Enforcement Manager Christina Raemhild and Director of Economic Development, Planning, and
Tourism Perla Tavera gave information regarding the third -party monitoring of short-term rentals, the
statistics of owners currently registering short-term rentals, the current status of the number of hotel rooms in
the city and the Hotel/Motel tax rate.
The majority of the Council was in favor of having legal research performed regarding increasing the tax rate
for short-term rentals and hotels/motels
The Mayor recessed into Executive Session at 4:46 p.m.
DA The City Council will convene into a closed Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government
Code Section 551.072 (Real Property Deliberations) to discuss the real property located at
13309 Josey Lane.
February 4, 2025
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D.2 The City Council will convene into a closed Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government
Code Section 551.072 (Real Property Deliberations) to discuss the real property located at
13333 Senlac Drive.
D.3 The City Council will convene into a closed Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government
Code Section 551.071 (legal consultation) to receive legal advice from the City Attorney
regarding a code of ethics complaint Tiled on January 27, 2025.
CALL TO ORDER - REGULAR MEETING
Mayor Lynne called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
INVOCATION & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The invocation was led by Mayor Lynne.
CEREMONIAL ITEMS
G.2 Presentation from Firehouse Theatre showcasing highlights from their upcoming production
"Million Dollar Quartet".
Members of the Firehouse Theatre performed a musical number in recognition of the upcoming production
"Million Dollar Quartet".
G.1 Recognition of Farmers Branch Fire Department Medic 131 and Truck 131, NTECC, as well
as the bystander that initiated CPR, for their actions in saving the life of a cardiac arrest
victim on November 5, 2024.
Mayor Lynne recognized all parties involved in saving the life of a victim of cardiac arrest.
ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST
Public Information Officer Ashtyn Anders presented items of community interest.
Tom Cusick, 13901 Midway Road, spoke on concerns with a development project.
CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Lynne announced Item J.5 would be tabled.
J.1 Consider approving the following City Council meeting minutes; and take appropriate action.
• January 21, 2025, City Council Meeting
J.2 Consider adopting Ordinance No. 3900 authorizing the addition of restricted prior service
credit to the City's offering under the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS); and take
appropriate action.
February 4, 2025
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J.3 Consider approving Resolution No. 2025-027 authorizing the City Manager to execute a
Residential Demolition/Rebuild Program Incentive Agreement in the amount of $10,000 and a
five (5) year property tax rebate for the property owner located at 3062 Eric Lane; and take
appropriate action.
J.4 Consider approving Resolution No. 2025-018 authorizing the City Manager to execute an
Assignment, Assumption, and Consent Agreement as part of the Demolition/Rebuild Program
for a four (4) year property tax incentive for the property located at 12711 Epps Field Road;
and take appropriate action.
j.5 C-OffiideF approving Resolution No. 2025 010 and awarding a eentreet to Mister Sweeper I
$82,000; and take appropriate
netien. (Tabled for further research)
J.6 Consider approving Resolution No. 2025-006 authorizing the purchase of three 2025 Ford F-
350 pickup trucks from Rush Truck Center through the Texas Local Government Purchasing
Cooperative BuyBoard in the amount of $269,280 ($89,760 each); and take appropriate
action.
J.7 Consider approving Resolution No. 2025-014 authorizing the purchase of seven (7) vehicles
from Sam Pack Ford through the Houston -Galveston Area Council (H -GAC) Cooperative
Purchasing Program in the amount of $532,229.67; and take appropriate action.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Bennett -Burton, seconded by Councilmember Reid, to approve
the Consent Agenda. The motion carried with the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Pro Tem Roman, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Jackson, Councilmember Neal, Councilmember
Reid, Councilwoman Bennett -Burton
PUBLIC HEARING
K1 Conduct a public hearing and consider adopting Ordinance No. 3897 for a zoning amendment
for a self -storage facility on approximately 9.72 acres located at 11410 Mathis Avenue within
the Planned Development District No. 22 (PD -22) zoning district; and take appropriate action
Deputy Director of Planning Sarah Bergman gave a presentation explaining the location of the property, the
current use of the site, the requested amendments to PD -22, the changes to the site layout proposed, the
existing site conditions, and the recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission.
There were no members of the public wishing to address the Council.
A motion was made by Councilmember Neal, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Jackson, to close
the public hearing. The motion carried with the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Pro Tem Roman, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Jackson, Councilmember Neal, Councilmember
Reid, Councilwoman Bennett -Burton
A motion was made by Councilmember Reid, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Jackson, to adopt
Ordinance No. 3897 as presented. The motion carried with the following vote:
February 4, 2015
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Aye: Mayor Pro Tem Roman, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Jackson, Councilmember Reid, Councilwoman
Bennett -Burton
Nay: Councilmember Neal
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
There were no regular items discussed during this meeting.
C.8 Provide a six-month update for the Garage Conversion Amnesty Program.
Director of Community Services Danielle Summers gave an update on the Garage Conversion Amnesty
Program, explaining the background of the program, the statistics of permitted conversions versus
unpermitted conversions, and community outreach efforts.
C.9 Receive an update from the Mayor and Council Members regarding board liaison information
from outside organizations and other meetings attended.
The Council gave updates regarding outside organizations and meetings attended.
C.10 Review and discuss future agenda items.
Mayor Pro Tem Roman requested an item to discuss a zoning overlay on the eastern side of District I, an item
to discuss adopting a non-discrimination policy, and an item to discuss enhancing communication efforts to
encourage residents, particularly those who may be targeted due to recent immigration efforts, to report
crimes to law enforcement agencies.
Councilwoman Bennett -Burton requested an update on cast-iron water mains.
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Jackson requested a report from the City Manager on staff turnover over the last year,
a report from the police chief on the number of patrol vehicles currently in inventory and if there is a need for
more vehicles, and an item to discuss issues with drivers running red lights.
Councilmember Neal requested the following items; an update from City staff on the fire hydrant painting
project, a discussion item related to crosswalk safety, information regarding policies and procedures from
City departments, an update on the Branch Connection project, a discussion item regarding vacant homes, a
discussion item on the limitation of expenditures approvable by the City Manager, and a discussion on City
staff needed at City Council meetings.
Mayor Lynne gave a statement regarding admonishing public speakers who derogatorily address elected
officials or City staff.
Mayor Lynne reconvened into Executive Session at 7:18 p.m.
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D.3 The City Council will convene into a closed Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government
Code Section 551.071 (legal consultation) to receive legal advice from the City Attorney
regarding a code of ethics complaint filed on January 27, 2025.
D.4 The City Council will convene into a closed Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government
Code Section 551.071 (legal consultation) to receive legal advice from the City Attorney
regarding policies governing public comments during City Council meetings.
D.5 The City Council will convene into a closed Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government
Code Section 551.074, Personnel matters, to receive an update from the City Manager
regarding employee and operational matters.
TAKE ANY ACTION AS A RESULT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mayor Lynne reconvened the Regular Meeting at 8:52 p.m.
D.3 The City Council will convene into a closed Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government
Code Section 551.071 (legal consultation) to receive legal advice from the City Attorney
regarding a code of ethics complaint filed on January 27, 2025.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Roman, seconded by Councilwoman Bennett -Burton, to reject
the ethics complaint Tiled on January 27, 2025. The motion carried with the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Pro Tem Roman, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Jackson, Councilmember Neal, Councilwoman
Bennett -Burton
Nay: Councilmember Reid
Mayor Lynne adjourned the Regular Meeting at 8:53 p.m.
Henderson, TRMC
Lynne
February 4, 2025
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